01.24.13 UPDATE: I've heard that La Lumiere has stepped it up since my August review and a bunch of my friends love this platce. As soon as I go again, I'll update my review, hopefully adding some stars to the walk!
08.30.12 REVIEW: really wanted to love this place. Around the corner, fresh vegan food, grassroots feel, crayons for the kids, courtyard in the back, nice people, etc.
Perhaps four years ago when this place opened it was really nice. But there has been zero attention paid to physical upkeep. Now, what I can imagine was once funky and cute has devolved into dilapidated and careless. Tables were falling apart with nails sticking out of them, courtyard actually backs up to a bunch of garbage bins/dumpster which stinks, etc.
Food was slow, but decent (probably a three). However, with places like Aux Vivres down the way and Panthere Verte around the corner, well, I think La Lumiere needs to try harder. A week of scrub-a-dub clean-up and refreshing could have that place back in effect.
Rating Scale:
1 Star: Avoid the town in which this place is located just to be safe.
2 Star: Risky at best.
3 Star: I'll try it again or consume here in a pinch.
4 Star: I eat here regularly if financially and calorically feasible.
5 Star: I'm comfortable taking other chefs here.